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Today’s Email Announcements

Free Community Shredding Event Saturday at Piedmont Federal

Bring your old personal and confidential papers to our Piedmont Federal Boone Branch, 1399 Blowing Rock Road, and look for the Shred-It Truck between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, June 4.

Adult Financial Literacy: Mend the Spend at the Library June 9

Mend the Spend

The Watauga County Public Library would like to invite you to join us for the next in a series of Financial Literacy Workshops for adults on June 9th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The event will be held at the NC Works Career Center, 130 Poplar Grove Road Connector, Boone, NC 28607.

Presenter: Dr. Tracy Reed, Associate Professor in Accounting at Appalachian State University.

This month’s focus will be on getting our financial house in order. Specifically, we will learn or refresh our knowledge of financial skills such as budgeting, saving, smart-spending, judicious borrowing, and establishing financial goals. A variety of print and online resources will be discussed and demonstrated as tools to help us achieve our financial goals.

Food will be served at the event! To learn more visit http://arlibrary.beta.libguides.com/smart_investing , or call us at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

June Programs at Elk Knob State Park

Salamanders

Join a Park Ranger to learn about salamanders and how they are great indicators of the state of the environment. You will learn about the native salamanders found at Elk Knob State Park.  Meet at the Outdoor Amphitheater Sunday, June 12 at 2 pm.  Program will be held at park office in case of inclement weather.

Mountain Music Jam

Celebrate Southern Appalachian music with local musicians as they play traditional, Old Time and Bluegrass. All musicians are welcome, so bring your instrument and join in, or enjoy the view and entertainment. Participants will meet at the Outdoor Amphitheater on Sunday, June 19 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All programs are free and open to the public.

Great American Backyard Campout                   

Novice campers are invited to join the Rangers at Elk Knob State Park for an enjoyable night of camping on Saturday, June 25 beginning no earlier than 3 pm. This is the eighth year that Elk Knob has participated in the campout which introduces families to the joy of camping without the expense of buying equipment. It is a great event for two main reasons: it allows participants a night of supervised camping at Elk Knob State Park, and we provide the tents, dinner, s’mores and interesting programs to fill the night with entertainment. Participants should bring their own snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, breakfast for Sundaymorning, and their own sleeping bags or blankets. The campout is free but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by June 20. You may register by calling 828-297-7261. Space is limited to the first 7 families who have never camped before. Adults must accompany children. Children must be 6 years and older.

Great American Backyard Camp Out at Elk Knob

Novice campers are invited to join the Rangers at Elk Knob State Park for an enjoyable night of camping on Saturday, June 25 beginning no earlier than 3 pm. This is the eighth year that Elk Knob has participated in the campout which introduces families to the joy of camping without the expense of buying equipment. It is a great event for two main reasons: it allows participants a night of supervised camping at Elk Knob State Park, and we provide the tents, dinner, s’mores and interesting programs to fill the night with entertainment. Participants should bring their own snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, breakfast for Sunday morning, and their own sleeping bags or blankets. The campout is free but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by June 20. You may register by calling 828-297-7261. Adults must accompany children. Children must be 6 years and older. Pets are not allowed. Don’t miss a great opportunity to try camping without the expense involved. It may be the start of a new hobby for the family.

Planned activities include a demonstration of cool camping equipment by Footsloggers, an informative “Leave No Trace” presentation by Mast General Store, a live owl program and night hike by staff from Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and viewing of the night skies through a telescope.

Activities begin at 4 pm so arrive early enough to get set up and be ready to enjoy the activities. Activities are subject to change.

App State Camelia Bowl Trophy Tour

Beginning this weekend and continuing throughout the summer, fans can get an up-close look at Appalachian State University football’s Raycom Media Camellia Bowl championship trophy as it makes its way throughout western North Carolina as part of the Yosef ‘16 season ticket holder referral program.

The Camellia Bowl trophy tour is currently scheduled to make several stops across western N.C.  over the next two months, beginning on Thursday at Taste of Avery in Banner Elk.

Fans are encouraged to attend a nearby tour event to take a #Yoselfie with the Camellia Bowl trophy, pick up a 2016 Appalachian State football poster and meet with App State athletics staff members. Mountaineer coaches and student-athletes will also be in attendance at select events.

More stops are expected to be added throughout the summer. Follow the Appalachian State athletics office of promotions and fan engagement on Twitter at @appstpromo for updates.

APPALACHIAN STATE FOOTBALL RAYCOM MEDIA CAMELLIA BOWL TROPHY TOUR — Summer 2016
Thursday, June 2 (AVERY COUNTY)

Taste of Avery, 6-8:30 p.m.
Best Western Lodge — 1615 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Friday, June 3 (MITCHELL COUNTY)
• Market on Oak Street, 3-5 p.m.
262 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777

• Spruce Pine Music in the Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
Riverside Park — 305 Tappan St., Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Saturday, June 4 (WATAUGA COUNTY)
• Blowing Rock Shriner’s Parade (“Salute to Our Veterans”), 2 p.m.
Main Street, Blowing Rock

• Blowing Rock Shriner’s Vendor Park, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Blowing Rock City Park

Friday, June 10 (BURKE COUNTY)
• Burke County Square, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Historic Burke County Courthouse — 102 E. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655

• TGIF Burke Summer Concert Series, 5:30 p.m.
Historic Burke County Courthouse — 102 E. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655

Thursday, June 16 (ALLEGHANY COUNTY)
• Alleghany County Rotary Club, 7 a.m.
Alleghany Memorial Hospital Solarium, 233 Doctors St., Sparta, NC 28675

Friday, June 17 (ALEXANDER COUNTY)
• Rocky Face Mountain Park, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
3451 Rocky Face Church Rd., Hiddenite, NC, 28636

• Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center Summer on the Square, 5:30 p.m.
Alexander County Courthouse Lawn — 29 W. Main Ave., Taylorsville, NC
Rain location: The Center’s Education Complex, 70 Hiddenite Church Road

Monday, July 18 (WILKES COUNTY)
• North Wilkesboro Rotary Club, 6:30 p.m.
Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery — 201 Wilkesboro Blvd., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Friday, July 22 (ALLEGHANY COUNTY)
Blue Ridge Mountain Fair
Crouse Park  — 60 Cherry St., Sparta, NC 28675

June Ranger Programs on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it- yourself tour. Rangers will be

on hand to answer questions.

Thursday June 9, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30- Children’s Hour

Activities may include storytelling, traditional games, and/or hands on simple crafts. An adult or older

responsible attendee must stay with children in order for them to participate (best suited for ages 4 – 12)

Friday, June 10, 2015

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it- yourself tour. Rangers will be

on hand to answer questions.

Saturday June 11, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately

45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295- 3782 or sign up at the

NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for

the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.

Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. – Magnificent Voyagers

Join Ranger Chuck for a talk about the waterfowl – ducks, geese and swans- That you have the

opportunity to see in this area of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Approximately 45 minutes in length

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. See Saturday (above)

for details.

Upcoming Programs at the Senior Center: Table Tennis, Medicare Summary Notice Training

Table Tennis:

The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center is excited to be offering table tennis on Thursdayafternoons in the dining room from 1-3.  Table tennis is free and open to anyone in the community age 60 and over.  For additional information please call Jen Teague 828-265-8090.

Medicare Summary Notice Training:

The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center will be offering a Medicare Summary Notice training on Monday June 13 from 10-11:30am.  This training is free and open to anyone who has difficulty reading a Medicare Summary Notice.  Registration is suggested, please call Jen Teague at 828-265-8090 to RSVP.

School Bus Driver Classes Offered June 28-30

School bus driver training will be offered June 28-30 at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center. The classes are free and run from 8:30-3:00 each day.

Before attending the class, anyone who is not a current Watauga County Schools employee must have a recommendation from the principal or assistant principal at the school where they want to be hired.

“We encourage everyone who is interested in being a school bus driver to obtain the required recommendation and attend these classes,” said WCS Transportation Director Jeff Lyons. “We always have positions to fill for the start of school and taking this class is essential for persons who want be considered for one of those openings.”

A school bus driver training class must be completed in order to receive the license (CDL) required to drive a school bus in North Carolina. The starting pay for school bus drivers in Watauga County is currently $13.32 per hour.

Each student’s driving record is screened through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles the first day of class. In addition to the driving record check, a criminal background check is conducted of all prospective school system employees before they start work.

Each student should bring their driver’s license, social security card, a pen or pencil, and a highlighter to the first meeting. For directions or additional information, please contact Jeff Lyons at 828 264-6391.